Sixth Trumpet -Revelation 9:13-20

Revelation 9:13-20 ESV
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number. 17 And this is how I saw the horses in my vision and those who rode them: they wore breastplates the color of fire and of sapphire and of sulfur, and the heads of the horses were like lions 'heads, and fire and smoke and sulfur came out of their mouths. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed, by the fire and smoke and sulfur coming out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails, for their tails are like serpents with heads, and by means of them they wound.
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,

Upon the golden alter, Aaron would make atonement once a year for the people. The sixth trumpet sounds and from between the horns of that alter the command is given to these four angels of judgement.

Exodus 30:10
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year. With the blood of the sin offering of atonement he shall make atonement for it once in the year throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord.”

The four angels have been mentioned before. They were bound until the 144,000 were sealed. This number represents the complete and full sealing of that remnant. 12X12X1000


Revelation 7:1
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.

The nations will descend on Jerusalem from all sides, the strong wind of a mighty army assembled by Satan. The number is variously translated as ten-thousand or myriads. It is meant to communicate a vast number.

Revelation 20:7-8
7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.

The horses and riders are both said to share the appearance of fire and brimstone. These may signify their allegiance to Satan. They stand for two plagues which are then grouped with the plague of smoke that is associated with the horses. The riders have additionally dark blue as part of the vision. The lion face on the horses may indicate power and strength. They appear at the end of the thousand years. This could be understood as the time between Christ ascending to His throne upon resurrection, thereby binding Satan and setting captives free, and the release of Satan at the end. The thousand years could be representative of a long time, but a finite time, until the time of the Gentiles is complete. During this time many find the truth and peace of God, and His kingdom reigns within the hearts of believers. After the full number of Gentiles comes in, Satan is allowed persecute the earth and people for a time at the end until his final defeat.
Given another opportunity to repent, those that survived the plagues do not, and therefore continue down the path of destruction.